Pin forming and button-pinning mechanism



April 1, 1952 SCHMALZ 2,591,203

PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 31, 1950 v 9Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR.

A [band Sch/1120412 April 1, 1952 A. SCHMALZ PIN FORMING ANDBUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 51, 1950 INVENTOR. Aibcuzo Sc/zmQZzApril 1, 1952 A. SCHMALZ PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM FiledMay 51 1950 9 SheefcsSheet 3 April 1, 1952 A. SCHMALZ 2,591,203

PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 31, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 4 n v u INVENTOR. AlbazzoSe/mzczlz April 1, 1952 A.SCH'MALZ 2 ,591,203

PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 51, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 5 A 1 Y \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\A\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTOR.Albcmo ciznzcz April 1, 1952 A. SCHMALZ PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNINGMECHANISM 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 31, 1950 i Lm INVENTOR. Albazzoge/zmaZz April 1, 1952 A. SCHMALZ 2,591,203

PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 51, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 7 M 25- l Hi |l April 1, 1952 SCHMALZ 2,591,203

PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 31, 1950 9 Sheet -s 8M INVENTOR. Aihmza fiafzmmiz:

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PIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNING MECHANISM Filed May 51, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. azza Sc/z/rzaZz Patented Apr. 1, 1952 OFFICEPIN FORMING AND BUTTON-PINNIN G MECHANISM Albano Schmalz, Chicago, Ill.

Appiication May 31, 1950, Serial No. 165,295 15 Claims. (01. 79-1) Myinvention appertains to pin forming and button pinning machines.

An important object of my invention is to pro vide a new and improvedform of machine for forming pins and attaching them automatically tohollow buttons such as the type that are used for advertising purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of theaforementioned character in which the pin material is fed from a hoppersubsequently to its having been cut to proper length and having beenpointed at one end. The hopper in a machine of the aforementionedcharacter pin forming and bending mechanism which opcrates on theprinciple of first bending the wire by means of a moving punchdownwardly on a die, subsequently by proper timing of the cycle,

the said punch mechanism rotates to form a sub stantially semi-circularinserting portion on the said pin mechanism, and subsequently, in thecycle of operation, cam means motivates assembling' and ejectormechanism to assemble the pin thus formed to a hollow button fedthereunder. Another object of my invention is to provide wire feedingmeans to the said pin-forming and assembling station whereby a singlewire at a time is fed, the remaining wires being agitated so as toprevent clogging of the wire-feeding mechanism.

A still further object of my invention is to providein a machine ofthe'aiorementioned character a'pin bending, forming and assemblingstation; the pin being formed and captured in a contracted position of adimension substantially smaller than the diameter of the lip portion onthe button to which it is to be assembled, and means for instantaneouslyejecting the pin simultaneously forcing it into the hollow button recessbefore the contractedlforma'tion of the pin forma tion is permitted toexpand. In other-words, the assembly operation and the release of thecontracted pinmechanism from its forming punch into the hollow recess orcavity within the button is so instantaneous that expansion of thecontracted part of the pin cannot take place before the pin has reachedthe cavity.

Another object of my invention is to provide triple slide meansintermittently fed by pawl means which are cam actuated at predeterminedintervals so as to permit, at the initial operation of the slide cycle,advancing the lowermost slide simultaneously with the intermediate slidethus forming a pocket receptive to the button, which is fed through thehopper and chute mechanisms, and in continuing the advancing cycle theupper slide is brought into alignment and superimposition over the saidlower and intermediateslides in order to form a complete enclosure forthe button to prevent disturbance thereof preparatory to the insertionof the formed pin which has been formed a priori.

A further object of my invention is to provide pin-bending andsemi-circular forming mechanism which is arranged to capture the Wirefed to the pin bending and forming mechanism so as to retain the same inposition until the cycle of the button pinning operation has beenadvanced to the point where the formed pin is to be placed into thecavity of the button. The said pin bending and forming mechanism isprovided with suitable knock-out mechanism to advance the pin into thecavity of the button positioned directly thereunder.

A still further object of my invention is to provide pin feeding meansreceiving delivery from a hopper mechanism (not indicated) feeding thepins with their pointed ends in the same direction, and stacking them ina trough-like unit so as to permit advancing the lowermost of said pins,at the same time agitating the pins superimposed thereabove in order toprevent clogging of that particular unit of the machine.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an automaticmachine whereby the original rotary motion of the prime mover is.translated to articulate rod driving means so that the pin advancingmechanism and the button advancing mechanism are each advanced inpropertimed sequence and relationship to the assembling unit.

A still further objectof my invention is to provide a button assemblingmachine which is of simple and practical construction, which is arrangedso as to require the least number'of motions in assembly in order thatproduction of these items may be made very rapid.

Other objects, advantages, and ancillary features, inherent in myinvention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanyingdrawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuing description,wherein like symbols repre sent like parts and in which:

' Fig. 1 represents a straight pointed pin which is one of the elementssupplied to the machine.

Fig. 2 shows the second operation to which the pin is subjected; namelythat of forming an angular bend therein.

Fig. 3'shows' the bentpin subjected to the sernlcircular coiling orforming operation.

Fig. 4 shows the formed and bent pin in its proper relationship prior toinsertion in the cavity of a button.

Fig. 5 shows the completed operation. 7

The said figures represent the operations taking place in the machine inorder to produce the finished result of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the machine comprising my invention shown inposition preparatory to initiating the feeding operations at thebeginning of the assembly cycle.

Fig. '7 is a front view of the machine of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the lines8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan View of the button feeding mechanism withcertain portions omitted in order to more clearly indicate thestructural elements embraced in the said mechanism, and

indicates the initial part of the button feeding cycle.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 indicating the completion of thebutton feeding cycle preparatory to receiving the pin element thereinto.

Fig. 11 is a top view of the upper slide element with the actuating pawlshown fitted thereinto so as to be motivated synchronously thereby.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the intermediate slide element.

Fig. 13 is a top view of the lowermost slide ele ment.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines 16-14of Fig. 9.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines 15-15of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the lines l6-l6of Fig. 9.

Fig. 17 represents two simplified cross-sectional views taken on linesl4-l l and l6i6 of Fig. 9 the view being taken through the planes of thepawls H4 and H5 in which respect it somewhat resembles in part Figs. 14and 16 in order to bring out the action of the button feeding slides.This view shows the initial position of the two driving pawls and thebutton feeding slides in a complete cycle.

Fig. 18 is similar to Fig. 17 and indicates the feeding of the slides bymeans of the pawl elements advanced to the position where the button iscaptured between the slides, and held ready fo the assembly operation.

Fig. 19 is similar to Fig. 17 showing the slides advanced to completethe cycle and ready for receiving the pin in assembly with the buttonheld by the slides.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19'indicating the return of theslides, completing the button feeding cycle ready for ejection of thecompleted button, preparatory to completing the entire feeding cycle ofthe slide elements.

Fig. 21 is a top view showing the pin feeding apparatus in the initialposition of the feeding cycle thereof.

Fig. 22 is a front view of Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is an end view of the pin chute or slide mechanism whichreceives in superimposed po- 4 sition the pointed pins pointing in onedirection the same being received from the hopper mechanism (not shown).

Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of the individual pin-feeding mechanism, andagitating element for agitatin the. remainder of the pins to preventclogging of the pin feeding chute.

Fig. 25'is a schematic view showing the initial position: preparatoryto. feeding": one pin to the forming and bending die mechanism.

Fig. 26 indicates a viewsimilar to Fig. 25 preparatory to separating thelowermost pin and capturing the'same for feeding onto the bending anvilof the pin bending and forming mechanism.

Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig. 26 showing one pin in place ready tobe fed to the anvil.

Fig. 28 shows the pin feeding mechanism about to complete its cycle infeeding the pin to the anvil mechanism.

Fig. 29 shows the positioning of the pin in the slot provided thereforin the anvil mechanism.

Fig. 30 shows the pin delivery mechanism depositing the pin in the slotof the anvil.

Fig. 31 shows the retracting operation or action of the individual pin.delivery mechanism ready to be retracted preparatory to a repetition ofthe pin-feeding cycle or operation.

Fig. 32 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the pin bendingand forming. mechanism at the moment the pin is offset betweenv thepunch above and the anvil below.

Fig. 33 shows the anvil and a fragment of the pin bending and formingpunch in cross section prior to descending on the anvilto hold the pinpreparatory to its bending. and semi-circular formation.

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 33 showing the pin held withdrawn fromthe anvil,. bent to shape and forming the semi-circular portion thereof,preparatory to its assembly in the button therefor.

Fig. 35 shows, the ejector sleeve initiating its downward travel in theaction of ejecting the formed pin; the pin bending and formingdevicehaving been retracted prior to permitting the button feeding. slides tobe fed between the pin bending and forming mechanism and the anvilmechanism, preparatory to assembly of the said bent and formed pinwithin the cavity of the said button.

Fig. 36 is across-sectional view taken substantially on the lines 36--36of Fig. 32.

Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 36 in which thepin-forming operation is indicated as having been completed. 7 r

Fig. 38 is a view looking upwardly at the forming. punch showing theinitiation of the semicircular forming operation of the pin.

Fig. 39 is a view similar to Fig. 38 and shows the completion of theformation of the semicircular portion of the pin.

Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken subs-tantiall on line 40-40 ofFig. 39.

Fig. 41 is a view, partly in section, showing the relationship of the"button feeding chute, the lowermost slide, and the intermediate slidein position for receiving a button thereinto as related to the positionof the anvil and the bending and forming punch mechanism.

Fig. 42 is a similar view showing the advance.- ment of the uppermostslide in order to capture the button and hold it firmly in placepreparatory to the assembly operation.

Fig. 43 is a similar view showing the next step in the cycle of theassembling operation, wherein amigos the three slides areadvancedsimultaneously to a position co-axially with the bending and form ingpunch and the space between the anvil and sleeve or of assembling sleevemechanism in the operation of ejecting and introducing the formed pininto the cavity of the button.

one end designated 56 the other end being des ignated 53. The said pinis fed through a hopper mechanism into a chute where the pins aresuperimposed in vertical formation and are grabbed by pin deliverymechanism to be fed to a forming anvil and punch bending or forming unitin order to form the bend 52 substantially at the point indicated inFig. 2.

The subsequent operation is for the pin forming mechanism to grasp theend 53 and form it into a substantially semi-circular portion asindicated in Fig. 3 showing the initiation of the forming operation andthe completed pin bending and forming operation in Fig. 4; the compietedbent and formed pin being designated 54.

In Fig. 4, in proper alignment with the pin 54 is the button 55 which isprovided with a cavity 56 adapted to receive the pin 54 in assemblagetherewith.

It is to be noted that an important feature of my invention is theformation of the semi-circular portion 53 of the finished pin 54 to arestricted or smaller diametral magnitude as indicated by the dottedlines in Fig. l so that the same will clear the lip 51 on the upper partof the button; thus when the pin 54 in its restricted form 54 is forcedpast the lips 51 and is released from the forming punch it will expandand seat itself firmly within the recess 58 provided on the button 55completing the operation.

Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, it is to be noted,

that in Fig. 6, I provide a station 48 for feeding 5- the buttons fromsuitable hopper mechanism (not shown) to the pin-bending, forming andassembling punch mechanism 50. In the same view, is also shown themechanism 49 for feeding individual pins 5| to the pin-bending, formingand assembling mechanism 50.

The machine is generally designated 41.

The various sections of the machine hereinbefore mentioned are heldtogether by suitable framework 46 and are driven by the prime mover 59,the stations of operation; namely 48, 49 and 50 are synchronized by theprime mover 59 which is provided with a driving pulley 6| interconnectedto a driven pulley 52 by means of a belt Gil. The transmissionconnection between the driven pulley 52 and the remainder of themechanism comprises a worm 63 which is connected to the driven pulley 62and is in mesh with a Worm gear 64 so as to afford the proper reducedspeed necessary for the operation of the various stations and tosynchronize the action thereof.

The'worm wheel 64 motivates the crank shaft 65 which is provided with acrank pin 66 giving it the proper throw so as to afford proper actiontherefor. The said crank pin has secured thereto the motivating rods 61and 68. The motivating rod 68 is provided with an eye portion to engagethe crank pin 66 whereas the motivating rod 67 is provided with abifurcated end 61' having suitable bores therethrough, the bifurcation6? is mounted on the crank pin 66 in straddling relationship withrespect to the eye of the motivating rod 68. The rod 68 has a bifurcatedportion 76 connected by pin 1] to the lever IE4.

The other terminal portion of the rod 68 may be bifurcated as indicatedat 16 in order to engage the oscillating lever 104 at some intermediatepoint thereof. The said motivating lever I84 has one of its termini I8articulately connected by the pin it to a slide mechanism adapted tosingle out an individual pin 5| and feed it when the said lever I04 ismotivated from the position of the dotted lines to that indicated by thefull lines. The motivating rod 51 is interconnected to its bifurcatedend 10 by means of a spring 68 in order to transmit the varied traveland dwell necessary to the motivating rods 61 and 63. The rod 6'!travels a greater distance or through a larger are, that is lever 121travels through a greater are than the motivating lever l M. The lever12 is connected to the bifurcation ill of the motivating rod 61 by meansof a pivot pin 5 i. The said motivating lever I2 has one of its terminil3 articulately secured by means of pivot pin 14 to the slide mechanismthat will motivate the button to proper assembly position when the lever12 moves from the position indicated by full lines to that positionindicated a by the dotted lines in Fig. 6. The lever 12 is pivoted onthe pin 35 and is provided with a slot 15, whereas the lever 1M ispivoted on the pin 36 and is provided with a slot 83 so as to equalizethe articulate movements of the said levers.

It is to be noted that the motivating lever 12 is also connected to anindividual button feed mechanism by means of the connection I05opcrating in the slot I06 in order to provide the necessary lost motionrequired to feed the button, so as to allow the slide assembly 48 to ad-Vance before the actual feeding of an individual button takes place. Thedetailed mechanism of eachof the said sections will presently bedescribed.

The transmission means is further to be understood as continuing fromthe motivating crank which has mounted thereon a gear 89 the teeth ofwhich are of greater width than that of the enlarged spur gear section8! on the barrel cam 82. The reason therefor is that the forming andbending mechanism has to move vertically, hence the spur gear BI and thespur gear 85 remain in mesh during the vertical movement.

The barrel cam 82 is provided with a cam race 86 in order to guide thepin forming and bending actions in proper cyclic relationship; the saidrace 86 being engaged by the guide pin 81 secured to a portion 89 of thesupporting framework and being held securely in place by the set screw88.

The crank 65 is also provided with a cam drum 9!) at its top secured inplace by set screw 9! in its proper cyclic position. The said cam 99 isprovided with a cam portion 93 in order to permit the roller or follower99 to be actuated thereby at certain predetermined portions of its360-degree revolution. The crank 65 is rotatably supported in bushingH30 secured to a web ll of the framework 46.

The; roller. 99 is mounted on. any oscillating lever V 95 which ispivoted by virtue of. the pin 9 to the depending: bearing portion '93secured at some point to a web 92 on the supporting framework 46-.

lit-is to be noted that the knockout or ejection mechanism 9?, to belater described, is motivated by the lever 95 when the cam roller mountsthe protuberance 98 on the cam; the said lever 95 being formed with abifurcated section 96 so as to clear the central shaft IE1 whichisoperated in a suitable bearing I88 on the we structure 92.

.Thus, the operation of the machine, generally speaking, is that whenthe motor is set into operation, the slide mechanism 38 will advance inorder to receive a button, then it will continue to advance and placethe button in captured position below the pin-bending and forming punch;alternately withthe advancing of the slide mechanism 45, the pin isadvanced to the pin-bending', forming and assembling station; it isbent, formed and assembled, then the intermediate slide is retardedpartially while the upper and lower slides are being retracted in orderto expose the completed button to permit it to drop through as afinished product.

The details of the individual operating, stations #8, 49 and 5!? nowfollows:

Figs. 9 to 20 show the various elevations an sections as well aselemental views of the novel structure incorporated in the feedingmechanism employed for feeding a button in its proper position. withrespect to the pin-bending, forming and assembling station.

The slides are motivated, as heretofore described, by the motivatinglever l2 being pivoted at 13 to the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism consists ofv three elements. The feeding of the slides is providedby the following mecha nism. She slide consists of three individualslide elements: an upper slide element ltd, an intermediate slideelement I Iii, and a lowermost slide element I I I-all arranged inintimate contactual relationship so as to slide in accordance with thecycle requirements of the machine.

The slide IE9 is provided with a circular opening H2, and an elongatedarch I I3 nerging there with so as to provide clearance for the pinwhich has been bent, formed and is in restricted formation ready forejection therethrough.

The opening I I2 has another function; namely, that of holding thebutton firmly in place within the center slide which is holdingthe'button between the upper slide I09 and the lower slide IiI beingfirmly held in position in the central slide HIS. The action of theslides will be best under stood by reference to Figs. l l to 20 and willbe presently explained.

In connection with the slide structure, it should be noted that theuppermost slide I09 is provided with a bore I2I to which is secured themotivating pivot pin13 so that. the motivating lever i2 when it movesthrough. its arcuate ambital movement will motivate the slide throughits proper forward and return strokes. The slides HI! and II I aremotivated intermittently by the slide Iii by virtue of the pawlstructures H5 and I i i. The said pawls are pivoted on .a pin Iii whichis .held rigidly in place in the hearing I I5 by vir-i tue of a setscrew I I8 or other suitable fastening. Each of the pawls II :3 and H5are permitted to oscillate independently about the pivot pin Hi and eachis provided with a follower I I9 and I 26 respectively. They pawls H4and H5 operatein the slots I42 and I43 of slide element. I09,

The intermediate slide III] isprovided. also with a circular opening I22mergingwith a clearance opening I23 for the extension ofthepointedportion of the pin to clear therethrough when it is being assembled, andit is further provided with an elongated slot I24 to be engaged inprop.- er timing relationships through suitable cam action by thefeeding pawl IN and a smaller slot I25 which is engaged in propertimingsequence by the pawl II5 when the pawl has its toothed portionengaged in said slots respectively. 7

Thus it can be seen that the pawl I I4 will travel in the slot I24without moving the slide untilits toothed portion contacts theright-hand end of the slot I24 and simultaneously therewith. the pawl H5will motivate the slide III! when. the toothed portion thereof engagesthe small slot The pawl I It has another function, that of engaging theslide I II by virtue of its slotted portion I23; so that the pawl IE4eifectuates intermittent movement of the slides I99, H0 and III atpredetermined times depending upon the positioning of the said camsoperating on the followers I I9 and I 2% and the timing sequencetherewith.

The motivating lever l2 has another function, namely, through itsconnection I85, which operates in the slot IIiIi of the button feedingele ment at the initial stroke or movement of the motivating lever I2,the bifurcations I28 and I28 provide an escapement mechanism allowing asingle button to escape therethrough. At the initial movement of'themotivating lever I2, the intermediate slide III] and the lower slide IIIremain stationary to receive a button, the continued movement of slideI69 causes the same to register and align with the slides III] and III,subsequently all slides H39, no, and III continue to advance in unisonto be positioned directly and intermediately the anvil and pin bendingand forming station. While the slide I09 moves the toothed portion I45rides on the surface of the intermediate slide no until it engages theopening I2 5.

toothed portion I ld rides on the top surface I43 of slide I I6, thesame is not motivated. The continued movement of the motivating lever 72will advance the feeding pawl H5 until its follower I2Il riding on thesurface Ids will drop on the incline I35 causing the tooth IM to engagethe slotted portion I25 thus advancing the central or intermediate slideIII]. that action, the feeding pawl I I3 is also advanced and rides onthe surface I42 of the lowermost slide II I until the toothed portionI45 drops into the slot I26 and causes the same to be advanced Thetoothed pawl is actuated by its follower I I9 which rides on the surfaceI36 until it meets the incline I31, which permits the toothed portion I45 to engage the lowermost slide III thus the pawls II and H5 will movethe two slides II 8 and iII together toward the pin-bending, forming andassembling station. Prior to this action, however, the movement of themotivating forked element, having a handle portion I27 engaged throughthe slotted portion Hi6 by the motivating connection I65, will cause thebifurcations I28 and I28 to operate in guide'ways I30 in the chute I38.

The bifurcations I28 and I28 are provided with staggered openings I29and I3I the same operate When motion of the intermediate slide. I I9 isproceeded with, and subsequently when the Simultaneously with accuses,

within the chute I38 so that the column of buttons 55 supported in thesaid chute will be permitted to escape one at a time and fall directlyinto the opening I22 (see Fig. 14). The openings I29 and I3I afford asort of escapement for a. single button. The chute operates from ahopper mechanism (not shown) which will orient the buttons 55 so thatthey will fall into the trough I4I of the chute I38. The chute iscovered by a skeleton cover I39 having openings I40 so as to permitoperators, or inspectors, to see to it that the buttons are fedthereinto in the correct position, and to permit removal of the buttonswhich are accidentally fed in the wrong position.

The bifurcations I 28 and I28 are provided with escapement openings orcut-outs I29 and I3I in staggered relationship so that its to and fromotion, the handle I21 motivating these bifurcations I28 and I28, willcause on the one hand the slot I29 to come into alignment with thebuttons 55 and permit one button to pass therethrough; the bifurcationI28 holding the button captured within the confines of the bifurcationsI28 and I28. Assoon as the handle element I2! is retracted to theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 14 the button 55 which had beenheld between the bifurcations will come into alignment with the openingor cut-out I3I thus permitting it to slide downwardly into the chute I38and into the opening or well I22 provided therefor in the intermediateslide I ID the button being held in place, or supported, by closure ofthe lowermost slide III.

It is to be noted that the bifurcations I28 and I28 are secured by anintermediate block-like support I33 which is secured to a reducedextension I32 of the handle I21 by riveting or other suitable fasteningmeans.

011 the return stroke after button 55 had been permitted to enter, or tobe-fed, to the well I22, the remaining buttons are held and supported bythe closed portion of the bifurcation I28 at its terminus; thus at eachcomplete oscillation of the bifurcation, or of the handle element I21,

on theforward stroke a button is fed into the confines of thebifurcation; on the return stroke a button is released from the confinesof the bifurcation -the other buttons thus being held under control sothat their weight will not impair the smooth operation of the machine,and assure a single button being fed at a time, at each and everystroke.

Fig. l'lshows a dual cross section of the feeding pawls and the slidesin their proper time sequence or arrangement showing the cams in properrelationship so that in Fig. 17 it will be noted the position isindicated whereby the slides III) and III are held in readiness toreceive a single button into the well I22.

The position of the feeding pawls and their teeth are shown in that viewin their proper relationship. The action to follow is indicated in Fig.18 showing that the toothed portion of the pawl H is traveling on thesurface of slide III) and is merely sliding idly, also in the upperslide I59. so that it will not be motivated until given the proper dwellfor the button to locate in the well I22, whereas the feed pawl H4 ispositioned in the slot of the uppermost slide I 59, and is travelingtherein until the toothed portion I44 of the pawl I I5 will drop intothe slot I26.

In Fig. 17, it can be seen that the slides III] and III are in positionto receive the individual button from the chute which has been fed inaccordance with the explanation supra.

The slides will remain in their position until the tooth I45 will dropinto the slot I26 thus the slide I59 will be motivated to capture thebutton 55 within the well I22 as indicated in Fig. 18. The three slideswill advance now in unison as indicated in Fig. 19, until they reach thepinbending, forming and assembling station ready to receive the pin inassembly. In Fig. 19, it is to be noted that the opening H2 is smallerthan the opening E22 so as to hold the button in captivity firmly, sothat its position may not be disturbed during the instant assemblingoperation when the pin-bending, forming and assembling station descendsthereupon.

The return movement of the lever 12 as indicated in Fig. 20 will causethe uppermost and lowermost slides to rec-ede initially in order toallow the assembled button to drop out of the opening I 22 into thefinished pile of buttons on which the operation is complete.

It is to be noted that in Fig. 18, the toothed portion I45 of the pawl II4 has dropped into both slots I24 and I 25 whereas the feed pawl H5 isready to drop into the slot I25 and by virtue of the two pawls H4 and II5 the three slides will thus be advanced in unison as indicated in Fig.19.

Fig. 20 shows that the pawl I I 5 has been lifted out of the slot I25therefore allowing the inter mediate slide I It to remain in fixedposition while the pawl H5 is engaging openings I24 and I 26 thusmotivating the slides I59 and II I, while the toothed portion M5operating within the slotted portion I24 of the intermediate slide thusaffords lost motion to the intermediate slide H0 and permits thecompleted button to drop out of the opening I22.

To supplement Figs. 14 to 20 fragmentary enlarged views are indicated ofthe pin-bending, forming and assembling station in concert with thebutton feeding chute, and the button feeding triple slide constructionas amplified further in Figs. 41 to 45.

In Fig. 41, the button is shown after it has dropped off into the pocketformed by the intermediate slide IIII and the bottom slide I II but withthe slide I09 in retarded position.

In Fig. 42, the next step in the cycle is indicated wherein the upperslide I55 has moved to register coincidentally with the intermediateslide I I 0 and the bottom slide III, and, in view of the closure II2,which is smaller than the bore I22, it can bee seen that the button willbe held in captivity so that it cannot be disturbed, and is fully undercontrol, prior to the assembly operation.

In Fig. 43, the three slides are shown to have advanced in unison withthe captured button in proper position under the pin-bending, formingand assembly station, wherein it is indicated that the pin-bending,forming and assembling unit has been retracted upwardly from the anvilstructure, and the slides are supported :by the anvil I62 and heldfirmly between the pin-bending, forming and discharge mechanism and theanvil ready to receive the formed and bent pin. The anvil IE2 is securedto the support I02.

Fig. 44 indicates how the pin is discharged instantly by the knock-outor ejecting mechanism and forced in its formed and still retracted position to move into the recess 54 of the cavity 56 of the button 55.Although the height of the bore in the intermediate slide is somewhatgreater than the height of the button, in order to allow for theoverlapping of the pointed pin portion 55 which lies in the plane abovethe plane of the semi-circularly bent portion 53, nevertheless, the

- ll expansion of the .pin w'ill'not 'takel'pla'ce prior to completionof its movement downwardly into the re'cess58 and past the lips 51 ofthe button 55. Theejection action will be so instantaneous as to be morerapid than the normal expansion of the spring-like material which isused for making the'pins.

In Fig. '45, "the upper slide and the lower slide are retracting whilethe intermediate slide remains stationary in order to permit theassembled button and pin to "fall through as completed.

The pin feeding mechanism is illustrated in Figs. '21 to 31, inclusive,and it is Shown that the motivating rod I54 is secured by means of aconn'eoting element 79 to the slide I4"! and fitted into the 'slot H18to'aifordlostmotion toth'e'slide It? while the slide I55 is motivated.The'slide I58 consists of two sections tied together by'strap I49. soonas'the slide I 55 has been motivated, whereby the connecting stud 'ier'e'aches the terminus of the slot I 48 at the left, then the slide 550will actuate the slide Ml. The said slide I55 is provided withextensions E56 which receive partly the diameter oi the lowermost'piniii in the V-shaped recess 163 until the delivery slide I55 advances. Onthe said delivery slide, I55

there are two delivery finger E52 pivoted at I'I and provided with anangular lower jaw portion I59 and a toothed upper jaw'portion I58 which"Lengthwise the pins are locatedb'y the'springlike elements I53 whichshow the pins located with their pointed ends 55 in the same directioh.The said lateral locating elements I53 are suitably flared out at I54 inorder to facilitate entry of the pins after assortment by the hopper.Thus'the pins 5| are agitated to prevent clogging "the opening or guideslot I51. As the lowermost'pin 5| is grasped in the "throat I50, and thedelivery fingers I52 continue to advance towardthe 'an'vilIBZ, the .pin5I engagesthe inclinedfpo'rtion I54 which causes the delivery fingerstorise and follow through in order to drop the 'pin'5l into the anvilholding slot 165. The anvil IE2 is suitably mounted on a rigid studsupport I52 W'hich,in turn, is mounted on the web IGI of 'the'framework.The gibs 1'65 and [65 arefiprovided as guidew'ays for the slide I55.Brackets I51 andxiGB serve to hold the elements [53, I55 and I56 inproper relationship for guiding-thepins 5 I.

The foregoing operation of feeding the pins to the anvil is broughtabout at the same time that the buttons are being fed by the tripleslide mechanism heretofore described.

Figs32 to 40 illustrate the pin-bending, forming and assembling stationor mechanism, and in those views it is shown that the anvilstructure I52is an insert in a support I02 and held securely thereto by means of setscrews I BI. The s'aid anvilis'p'rovided with a configurationsimilar'to'that of the bent portion 52 of thepin which is designatedon'the anvil-as [l9 and is provided with a 'slotted'portion I65'toreceive the pin5I.

The punch structure H5 is provided with a mating oonfigurative sectionITI complementary causes, at predetermined time, the extensions.

95 to operate the ejector pins'9l which are fitted V assists to theformation 175, and it is-also provided with a slottedrecess so that thepin is first captured and held firmly by the punch H5 and the anvil 7The reduced shank I84. operateswitha bush-- ing sleeve lei) providedwith an enlarged shoulder E52 and held to the reduced shank 184 byvirtue of set screws MI, and confined "between surfaces I93 and Ice.

The enlarged shoulder "E92 'is fitted in between the surface I94 of acap I15, which is secured to the hollow body I69 by virtue of screwsIl'I,

creating an enclosing structure for the shank I3 3 and bushing I95permitting the bushing I to rotate with respect to the tubular body 159.The tubular body IE9 at its lower terminus is provided with a hardenedsteel enlarged forming die H3 which has a slotted recess therein'IBIJon'the one .side and a clearance slot 583 which is'somewhat higher onthe opposite side in order to clear the'bend-52 in the pin 5! as showninFig. '32. Thedie W3 is secured by set screw I'M.

The punch H5 may also be provided with a slight fillet I62 so as tolocate and hold firmly the semi-circular formation 53 of the pin 5l incaptivity, prior to its ejection by the ejector means presently to bedescribed.

It is also to be noted that the semi-circular portion is formed aboutthe punch I75 which is smaller in diameter in order to'allow for therecoil of the resilient material from which the pin is formed, and tomaintain it in a smaller diameter while in forming captivity until it isdis-. charged into the recess 55.

The punch I55 has ashoulder I81 and on the reduced shank ltd is mountedthe ejector sleeve I which has a shoulder portion I85 so as 'to hold orretain about thereduced'shank I84the coil spring use normally urging theejector sleeve I55 upwardly to inoperative position. The said ejectorsleeve, as can be seen, is provided with a reduced ejector portion 255which skirts about the punch Il5 and is provided with a clearance slot258 which is higher than the clearance slot 251 on the-opposite end, forobvious reasons, inasmuch as the pin after bending is in a' higher planeat the pointed portion, and'in a lower plane for the semi-circular coilportion to be formed.

The punch H5 is operated toward and away from the anvil I52 by means ofthe barrel cam 82 heretofore mentioned and described.

The cam 85 which operates the ejector lever into the "slots i535 of theeject-or sleeve I95 com pressingtne spring I85 andsimultaneously'pre'ssing'the formedpin 5t and ejecting the same intotons, the'action taking .place more rapidly than the normal expansion ofthe coils of the pins so that the pin will travel downwardly into'thebute ton and expand at the proper time to locate and.

seat itself within the recess 58 of thebutton 55.

Examining views 36 to 40, it will be noted that the interior of thepunch is slightly boredout in order to receive the anvil I62 and alsohas the slots heretofore identified as I83 and I 80. The forming punchwhich rotates as indicated by the arrows is provided with a forming dog20l made of hardened material and held firmly in place by the hollowhead set screw 262, which is provided with the forming portion 203operating about the pin held in place between the bending punch and theanvil. As the head I69 is caused to rotate by means of the spur gearing80 and BI, the semi-circular portion 53 of the wire is thus formed andheld in place until the ejector 96 operates the ejector pins 9? prior towhich time the head I59, by virtue of the barrel cam 82, will be causedto be raised as indicated in Fig. 33 permitting the slides to entertherebetween as indicated in Fig. 43 thus permitting the assemblyoperation to be completed.

It is to be noted that in the forming head for clearance have beenprovided openings [98 and the surfaces I99 are hidden to form hollowpockets so as not to interfere with the travel of the portion 53 of thepin during its semi-circular formation. The angular abutment 200 servesto yieldably support the pin portion 53, prior to, and during thecoiling operation.

A clearance bore i9! is provided so as not to damage the point 58 whilethe punch is operating. It should be noted that the pin 5! is offset inthe punch with respect to the center line 204 thereof so as to permit afirm bend by the element 203.

In review, it may be stated that the operation of the machine is,generally, to simultaneously feed a pin to the anvil and the feedingpunch and bend and form the pin. The forming and bending punch thenretracts upwardly allowing simultaneously the slide mechanism to performits operations and to locate itself therebetween loaded with a buttonwith its cavity upwardly. The tripping mechanism is then trippedejecting the formed pin which has been formed in constricted formationso as to permit of its rapid expansion instantaneously as soon as thepin has been bottomed into the button.

The slides then are retracted to normal position by going through thestages indicated in the drawings allowing for the ejection of thecompleted or assembled button and pin; and simul taneously aftercompleting the withdrawal of the slides a new button is fed into thebutton slide structure while the pin mechanism and delivery fingers alsoadvance simultaneously agitating the pins and placing the deliveryfingers in a position receptive to feed another pin in order to completethe entire cycle of the operations heretofore mentioned; thus deliveringcompleted, assembled pins after each and every cycle.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andin the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided thatsuch changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Pin forming and button pinning mechanism; comprising means forfeeding a button provided with a cavity which is positioned to faceupwardly; means for feeding a straight and pointed pin; anvil means forreceiving the said straight pin; and means for bending and forming thesaid straight pointed pin to restricted configuration to fit within thesaid button and release the formed pin Within the saidcavity in the saidbutton; the said anvil means and the said means for bending and formingthe said straight pointed pin being co-axially aligned; the said cavitybeing interposed between the said anvil means and the said means forbending and forming the said straight pointed pin and in co-axialrelationship therewith.

2. Pin forming and button pinning mechanism; comprising means forfeeding a button provided with a cavity which is positioned to faceupwardly; means for feeding a straight and pointed pin; anvil means forreceiving the said straight pin; and means for bending and forming thesaid straight pointed pin to restricted configuration to fit within thesaid button and release the formed pin within the said cavity in thesaid button; the said anvil means and the said means for bending andforming the said straight pointed pin being co-axially aligned; the saidcavity being interposed between the said anvil means and the said meansfor bending and forming the said straight pointed pin and in coaxialrelationship therewith; the said means for bending and forming the saidstraight and pointed pin being positioned intermediately the said meansfor feeding a button and the said means for feeding the said straightpointed pin.

3. Pin forming and button pinning mechanism; comprising means forfeeding a button provided with a cavity which is positioned to faceupwardly; means for feeding a straight and pointed pin; anvil means forreceiving the said straight pin; means for bending and forming the saidstraight pointed pin to restricted configuration to fit within the saidbutton and release the formed pin within the said cavity in the saidbutton; the said anvil means and the said means for bending and formingthe said straight pointed pin being coaxialiy aligned; the said cavitybeing interposed between the said anvil means and the said means forbending and forming the said straight pointed pin and in co-axialrelationship therewith; and means connected to all the means heretoforerecited to synchronize the operations there of to complete the cycle ofoperation.

4. Pin forming and button pinning mechanism; comprising means forfeeding a button. provided with a cavity which is positioned to faceupwardly; means for feeding a straight and pointed pin; anvil means forreceiving the said straight pin; means for bending and forming the saidstraight pointed pin to restricted configuration to fit within the saidbutton and release the formed pin within the said cavity in the saidbutton; the said anvil means and the said means for bending and formingthe said straight pointed pin being co-axially aligned; the said cavitybeing interposed between the said anvil means and the said means forbending and forming the said straight pointed pin and in co-axialrelationship therewith; the said means for bending and forming the saidstraight and pointed pin being positioned intermediately the said meansfor feeding a button and the said means for feeding the said straightpointed pin; and means connected to all the means heretofore recited tosynchronize the operations thereof to complete the cycle of operation. l

5. The method of assembling .pins to buttons; comprising feeding abutton provided with a cavity which is positioned to face upwardly:feeding a straight and pointed pin to a bending and forming station;bending and forming the said straight and pointed pin to restrictedconfiguration; and releasing and instantaneously 515 driving the formedpin into the said cavity' in thesaidbutton.

6. The method of assembling pins to buttons; comprising feeding a buttonprovided with a cavity which is positioned to face upwardly; feeding astraight and pointed pin to a bending and forming station; bending andforming the said straight and pointed pin to restricted configuration;releasing and instantaneously driving the .formed pin into the saidcavity in the said l button; and ejecting the pin and button assembly.

7, In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; anvil means; feedmeans delivering a straight and pointed pin to the said anvil means;means for bending in offset relationship the said pin on the saidanvilmeans; forming means on the'said means for bending to form the free portionof the said spin to a restricted substantially semi-circularconfiguration; and means on the said forming means for instantaneouslydischarging the bent and formed pin into the cavity of a buttonpositioned with the said cavity facing upwardly and concentrically withrespect to the said means for bending; the said anvil means and the saidmeans for bending being co-axially aligned. V

8. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; anvil means; feedmeans delivering a straight and pointed pin to the said anvil means;

means for bending in offset relationship the said pin on the said anvilvmeans; forming means on the said means for bending to form the freeportion of the said pin to a restricted substantially semi-circularconfiguration; means on the said forming means for instantaneouslydischarging the bent and formed pin into the cavity of a buttonpositioned with the said cavity facing upwardly and concentrically withrespect to the said means for bending; the said anvil means and the saidmeans for bending being co-axially aligned; cam means for actuating thesaid means for bending the said pin, and cam means for intermittentlyoperating the said means for instantaneously ejecting the said bent andformed 7 pin.

9. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; anvil means; feedmeans delivering a straight and pointed pin to the said anvil means;means for bending in oifset relationship the said pin on the said anvilmeans; forming means on i the said means for bending the free portion ofthe said .pin to a restricted substantially semicircular configuration;means on the said forming means for instantaneously discharging the bentand formed pin into the cavity of a button positioned with the saidcavity facing upwardly and concentrically with respect to the said meansfor bending; the said anvil means and the said means for-bending beingco-axially aligned; and cam means for intermittently operating the saidmeans for instantaneously ejecting the said bent and formed pin.

10. In apin forming. and button pinning mechanism; anvil means; feedmeans delivering a straight and pointed pin to the said anvil means;means for bending in ofiset relationship the said pin on the said anvilmeans; forming means on the said means for bending to form the freeportion of the said pin to a restricted substantially semicircularconfiguration; means on the said forming means for instantaneouslydischarging 'the bent and lformedxpinlinto the cavity of a buttonpositioned with the said cavity facing upwardly and concentrically withrespect to the said means for bending; the said anvil means-and the saidmeans for bending being co-ax-ially:

aligned; cam'means for actuating the said means for bending the saidpin; and cam means for intermittently operating the said means forinstantaneously ejecting the said bent and formed pm.

11. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; anvil means providedwith an inclined surface on the receiving side thereof, and feed meansfor delivering a straight and pointed pin to the said anvil means;comprising chute means for retaining a plurality of straight and pointedpins in superimposed relationship, reciprocating slide means, fingerdelivery and agitator means articulately mounted on the saidreciprocating slide means and operating on the lowermost straight andpointed pin, throat means on the said finger delivery and agitator meansadapted to grasp the said lowermost pin and advance the, same to climbthe said inclined surface in order to be positioned on the said anvilmeans preparatory to bending of the said pin, and slotted means on thetop surface of the said anvil means to capture and retain the said pinafter delivery thereinto by the said finger delivery and agitator meanssimultaneously releasing the said straight and pointed pin from thesaid-throat means.

12. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; means for feeding abutton, comprising an upper slide element, an intermediate slideelement, and a lower slide element; means for motivating the said upperslide element, primary pawl means on said upper slide element foradvancing initially during the forward stroke of the said means formotivating the said upper slide element and the said intermediateslideelement in unison therewith, secondary pawl means on said upper slideelement engaging idly slotted portions in the said intermediate slideelement and the said upper slide element, and a slotted portion on thesaid lower slide element engageable by the said secondary pawl means tocooperatively advance the three slide elements in unison.

13. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; means for feeding abutton provided with a cavity which is positioned to .face up.- wardly,comprising an upper slide element, an intermediate slide element, and .alower slide element, means for motivating the said upper :slide element,primary pawl means on said upper'slide element for advancing initiallyduring the forward stroke of the said means for motivating the saidupper slide element the said intermediate slide element in unisontherewith, secondary pawl means on said upper slide elementengaging idlyslotted portions in the said intermediate slide element and the saidupper slide element,

and a slotted portion on the said lower slide elewith a cavity which ispositioned to face up? wardly, comprising an upper slide element, an

intermediate slide element, and a lower slide Eele-.

17 ment, means for motivating the said upper slide element, primary pawlmeans on said upper slide element for advancing initially during theforward stroke of the said means for motivating the said upper slideelement the said intermediate slide element in unison therewith,secondary pawl means on said upper slide element engaging idly slottedportions in the said intermediate slide element and the said upper slideelement, and a slotted portion on the said lower slide elementengageable by the said secondary pawl means to cooperatively advance thethree slide elements in unison, the said intermediate slide elementprovided with an opening of circular configuration merging with anelongated pin clearance opening to retain a button fed thereinto, thesaid upper slide element provided with an opening of similarconfiguration but slightly smaller in diameter to retain a button incaptivity, the said lower slide element, and the said intermediate slideelement cooperatively form a button receiving cavity when advanced inunison, the said upper slide element when advanced to superimpositionover the said intermediate slide element and the said lower slideelement serving to retain the said button in captivity to preventdisplacement thereof.

15. In a pin forming and button pinning mechanism; means for feeding abutton provided with a cavity which is positioned to face upwardly,comprising an upper slide element, an

. intermediate slide element, and a lower slide element, means formotivating the said upper slide element. primary pawl means on saidupper slide element for advancing initially during the forward stroke ofthe said means for motivating the said upper slide element the saidintermediate slide element in unison therewith, secondary pawl means onsaid upper slide element engaging idly slotted portions in the saidintermediate slide element and the said upper slide element,

and a slotted portion on the said lower slide element engageable by thesaid secondary pawl means to cooperatively advance the three slideelements in unison, the said intermediate slide element provided with anopening of circular configuration merging with an elongated pinclearance opening to retain a button fed thereinto, the said upper slideelement provided. with an opening of similar configuration but slightlysmaller in diameter to retain a button in captivity, the said lowerslide element and the said intermediate slide element cooperatively forma button receiving cavity when advanced in unison, the said upper slideelement when advanced to superimposition over the said intermediateslide element and the said lower slide element serving to retain thesaid button in captivity to prevent displacement thereof, the saidprimary and secondary pawl means cooperatively effectuate initialmovements of the said upper slide element the said intermediate slideelement and the said lower slide element in ,unison and subsequently tocomplete the return stroke move idly with respect to the saidintermediate slide element and continue to motivate the said upper slideelement in unison with the said lower slide element to release the saidbutton.

ALBANO SCHMALZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name .Date

459,376 Gooding et a1 Sept. 8, 1891 1,119,211 Young Dec. 1, 19141,463,565 Wegman July 31, 1923 1,817,886 Carr Aug. 4, 1931 2,473,116Wegman June 14, 1949

